Burlington County Woman Convicted In Wife's Murder: Prosecutor

A Burlington County woman has been convicted in the fatal shooting of her wife in their home in 2017, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced.

After deliberating for three days, a jury found 31-year-old Laura Bluestein, of Mount Holly, guilty of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and fourth-degree tampering with evidence in the death of Felicia Dormans, according to the prosecutor’s office.

On the first day of the trial, prosecutors said Bluestein was digging a grave when Mount Holly police arrived at her home on Aug. 6, 2017. Police found Dormans's body on a tarp upstairs, and an area that looked to be the beginnings of a grave in the backyard.

Bluestein was arrested without incident the same day, and has been held in Burlington County Jail since. She was later indicted on one count each of murder in the first degree, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree tampering with evidence.

She was acquitted of first-degree murder, according to CBS 3. She claimed the shooting was an accident.

According to Christina Dormans, Felicia's mother, the two were involved in an argument earlier that day, and Dormans was considering leaving Bluestein because she was being abused. She encouraged anyone in a similar situation to reach out for assistance "before it gets to a point where somebody loses a life."

Bluestein’s sentencing is scheduled for April 23.

In Burlington County, help for victims of domestic abuse and their children is provided free of charge by Providence House. The organization emphasizes that services are offered regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.

Providence House can be reached through a 24-hour hotline at 1-877-871-7551 or 609-871-7551. They can be found online at https://www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/domestic-violence-services/.